by S. K. Lessly
“You think I’m investing soft?” he asked me, clearly amused by my excitement.
I rolled my eyes, but I answered, “Not soft but safe. As a matter of fact, I know a few business ventures that you could invest in that would give you a great ROI that could double your net worth.”
When I looked at the plate in front of him, the sandwich was already devoured.
Josh said, after he wiped his mouth, “Well, when I get back maybe you can show me how I need to beef up my investment portfolio.”
And… the elephant has just entered the room. I leaned back in my chair and watched him closely.
I asked, “How long will you be gone?”
Josh shrugged again and leaned back in the chair he was sitting in.
“I could be gone at least one week, but at the most about two months.”
“Wow, that seems like a long time,” I said softly.
I didn’t meet Josh’s eyes, but I still felt them on me, studying me. I kept looking at the papers in front of me so he wouldn’t be able to completely read me. I was trying to stay brave. I mean, the performance I put on last night almost forced me to show no weakness, right?
I heard him shifting, but I refused to look up.
He sighed and then said, “Are we going to make eye contact while we talk about this?”
I reluctantly looked up and met his eyes. I knew the moment our eyes met he knew what I was feeling.
I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with his scrutiny, so I started shuffling papers and said, “Are you going to talk or just stare at me?”
“Sweets,” he started voice soft, “this will probably be the longest time I’ll be away from you.”
I shook my head. “I’m not concerned about the length of time. I mean, I am, but that’s not what worries me.”
“So what worries you?”
I looked at his chest then back at his eyes, “I’m worried about you not coming home in the same manner in which you leave.”
Josh nodded. “I know you are, and I can’t make any guarantees to make you feel better. All I can say is that I’ll do my best to take care of myself and get home in one piece. I’ll try and contact you as much as I can, and I’ll send word with Junior too. And God forbid, if something were to happen to me, you’ll see one of my brothers at this doorstep for you.”
“One of your brothers?”
“Yes, my brothers will be the one to tell you if something has happened to me. They will tell you the truth and not some crazy messed up story that you might hear.”
“Okay, but how do you know that they would be willing to do that? I mean, your family doesn’t even know me.”
“Believe me, they know enough about you from Ma. And you’re family, Sweets… You’re my family, and we take care of family.”
I sighed because quite frankly I didn’t know anything about that at all.
“Come here, Sweets.”
I stood and walked around the desk. Josh stood and gathered me in his arms and hugged me tight against him.
“Don’t worry about anything, okay? I’ll be home before you know it, and I’ll be in one piece. Trust me, okay?”
“I do,” I mumbled in his bare chest.
“Good…”
We stayed like that for a minute, him swaying us lightly from side to side.
Then he said, “Now go put the paperwork back in the safe. Because of you, we are running behind.”
“What!?”
He smacked my ass and laughed. I put the items back in the safe and closed it properly.
I then turned and said, “So are you going to tell me what we’re doing today?”
“Oh yeah, you’re moving.”
I paused and just stared at him. “I’m sorry what?”
“You heard me. We can pick up some boxes on the way to your apartment, but I would like to have you packed and moved out by Wednesday. You think you can do that?”
“And where am I moving to?” I asked him.
“Here, of course.”
He is insane…
I said to him, “I think you’re taking this bossiness you possess to the head. Who said I was moving and in here no doubt.”
“Do you want me to come back to you in one piece?”
“Yes…” I answered hesitantly.
“Okay, then it’s settled.”
Josh walked out of the room without saying another word. So you know this isn’t flying with me, right?
I followed, saying, “How does that make any sense?”
Josh was pulling up his boxer briefs when I walked in the room then grabbed a t–shirt from his drawer.
He sighed dramatically. “Sweets, it’s quite simple. There is no way I can concentrate if you’re not safe. So in order for you to be safe, you have to be here.”
“Okay, so I can stay here most nights, but I can’t just move in with you…”
Josh walked up to me and placed his hands on my upper arm.
“Would you like me to ask you first then?”
“Huh?”
“Sweets, keep up with me. If you want to make it official, here you go… Sweets, I want you to move in with me. I want you here every day and night until I leave, I want to know you’re here and safe with twenty–four hour guards watching over you when you’re home, and I want you here when I get back as well as every day after… Is that official enough for you?”
He then kissed me and headed toward the closet.
I have to be honest with you, I was hooked when he told me the first time that I was moving in with him. And quite honestly, I shouldn’t be okay with this. After all, I left a controlling father at home and a horrible situation with an ex. How was it that I found myself with a bossy controlling boyfriend again? I mean hell, he didn’t do anything traditional. He should have asked me if I wanted a relationship with him first and foremost. And yes, he should have asked me properly to move in with him.
I was about to say this very thing to him when he appeared in front of me, wearing a long sleeved Yankees t–shirt and dark jeans.
“Baby, I know I’m being a bit too pushy, and I apologize, and you’re right. I should have asked if you even wanted to move in with me. How about this… Let’s just move your things in here while I’m gone. I really want you out of that apartment you’re currently in baby… it will really help me concentrate and not worry about your safety… And when I get back, we can talk about this moving in thing. We can go find an apartment together, one that we both like. Or maybe we can look for a bigger apartment in this building; whatever you want to do I’m okay with.”
Uh… Wow!
He leaned in and captured my mouth softly.
When he pulled away, he asked, “Is that okay?”
I was completely speechless, so all I did was nod.
“Great, let’s get going then.” He playfully smacked my ass again and grinned broadly.
He took my hand in his, and we grabbed our things and left his apartment.
Moving my things into his apartment took next to no time at all. I didn’t really take anything with me but my clothes, and hell, Josh barely let me walk out of the apartment with those. He helped me clean, and we emptied the cabinets and refrigerator of food. We packed up some old clothes and pots and pans, silverware, cups, and plates to give to the Salvation Army. I packed up sheets and comforters for pickup too.
We had to take a few trips back and forth to his apartment, but by Wednesday I had everything I owned packed up in the office of Josh’s apartment.
Thursday the Salvation Army was scheduled to pick up everything, so Josh and I headed to my apartment to say goodbye to my old second life and hello to the start of my third.
Third time’s a charm, right?
When we returned to the apartment, Josh and I started packing for our trip the next day. As I packed, my mind kept going back to something that I felt was missing. I actually felt like I was forgetting something this whole week, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. When I
told Josh I had forgot something in the apartment, he reminded me that we went through every room in that place and it was empty when we left.
“Sweets, there’s no need for you to go anywhere near that building again, so don’t even think about it.”
“Was my apartment that bad?” I asked him, hearing something in his tone other than caution.
“No, it’s not that. I just don’t want you going back there without anyone, okay?”
I put my hand on my hips. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting? I mean, what are you worried about? If you think someone in my past will come here, no one knows where I am, and I doubt if they knew I was in Pittsburgh that they would find me in that apartment.”
Josh went in the bathroom and came back out with our toiletries.
“Sweets, my gut has gotten me out of a lot of shit, and right now I feel like you need to stay away from your apartment; even when I leave. You can go to work but don’t leave without Ivan walking you to the car and keep that Taser out and ready when you walk from the car to the elevator in the garage.”
Yes, Josh bought me a taser and showed me how to use it. He wanted to get me a gun, but I refused to carry one around the city. Besides, the time it would take for him to get a permit for the gun and show me how to use it, would take more time than he had. So the taser it was.
Josh also felt the need to make sure I knew how to get away from an attacker if I was not able to use the Taser for some reason. I knew some things from Joy, but he figured he’d show me quicker ways to incapacitate someone. I thought at first this could be fun. You know, grappling around with him on the floor has its advantages, but I was dead wrong. It seemed Josh was very serious when it came to training, and the drill sergeant Cooper made an appearance, and I have to tell you, I was not that fond of him.
Josh tossed and slammed me so many times, I was so sore for three days. But I will say he gave me some tactics to at least get out of a chokehold.
“Sweets, I’m serious, okay? If for some reason you need anything from that apartment, have someone go with you.”
I saluted, rolled my eyes, then squealed when I was grabbed from behind and tossed on the bed.
Now this is what I was talking about. I struggled a little until he was right where I wanted him to be, on top of me and my arms pinned above my head.
We smiled at each other until I noticed another look cross Josh’s face.
“God, I’m going to miss you, Sweets.”
I moved my legs from under him and wrapped them around his waist.
“I’m going to miss you, too.”
Josh moved to place his lips on my neck, and he proceeded to drive me insane. We lost our clothes very quickly in between our kisses and fondling, and before I could catch a breath he was inside me, filling me, making me wish I could keep him right where he was forever.
“I love you, Kenya” he told me, showing me how he felt as he slowly moved inside of me, stroking me deep as only he can.
My reply was on the tip of my tongue, but again, I couldn’t seem to let the words go. It had been like that for a while now, and I couldn’t seem to say the words to him. I tried to show him every day, but it was so frustrating that I hadn’t said them to him. So instead of saying the words, I closed my eyes and held him to me, not wanting to let go, ever…
We were kissing and grinding in a slow tantalized motion that had both our breaths catching and our hearts beating.
I want on top.
I bucked up slightly and attempted to roll him. He let me, and the moment I was where I wanted to be, I get on my feet, bending my legs, and I moved slowly up to the tip of him then slid down slowly while watching him lose control under me.
I moved like that, slowly, keeping my eyes on him, letting him feel how much I loved him.
Of course, he couldn’t take it this pace. Hell, neither could I, and we started picking it up, his hands on my hips moving me faster and faster. I went for my nipples and squeezed them as he brought me over the sexual edge.
We moaned and talked shit, and our lovemaking turned grimy and gritty as he flipped us over, pulled out and told me, “Face down, ass up, baby.”
“Yessssss!” I exclaimed excitedly, and he laughed, but that died the instant he slammed home.
“Fuck me hard, baby,” I told him as he gripped my hips and began to do just that.
“Yes, baby, more…. Yes…”
“Oh fuck, baby, keep talking shit… I fucking love it!” Josh growled, and I swore he moved faster and faster and I knew he was coming.
I tilted my hips up further, allowing him to sink deeper in me, knowing that he loved the feeling.
“Ohhhh… Baby, yess, just like that I’m…”
BANG! BANG! BANG!
I looked back at the entrance of the bedroom then back at him.
“I’m not stopping, baby,” Josh told me, but as the banging kept going, I knew he was getting pissed.
“Fuck,” he pulled out of me reluctantly, then moved to grab a pair of shorts.
Breathing deeply and flushed, he looked over my body. Damn, this man is so freaking sexy… I licked my lips, which made him growl again. He started toward me, but the banging on the door started again.
“I swear, baby, I’m fucking killing whoever’s at the door.”
I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down, too.
I heard Josh curse, then I heard him unlocking the door. “What the fuck do you want?”
I couldn’t hear a reply, but I heard a female’s voice then laughter. I sat up and tried to listen, but couldn’t hear a thing. I decided to get up and try and make myself useful. I went into the bathroom to clean myself up and ran my hands through my semi–damp hair.
I walked out and grabbed my clothes from the floor and just threw my dress back on.
Five minutes later, Josh came barreling into the room with a scowl on his forehead.
He looked at me and said, “I’m sorry, Sweets, I need to make a run real quick.”
“Who was at the door?” I asked him.
I had resumed packing, having to refold clothes that we tossed everywhere in our frenzy to get naked.
Josh sighed. “Misty and Jacks. They need me to take a ride with them to wrap up the case I was working on. Apparently they can’t handle this on their own.” The last part he yelled, probably for Misty and Jacks’ benefit.
“It’s okay, Josh. I’ll just finish packing, so we don’t have to worry about it when you get home.”
He walked up to me pulled me in his arms and kissed me.
“You are a life saver.”
Flustered from the kiss, I just waved at him.
“I’m going to jump in the shower for a few minutes.”
I was finished getting our clothes packed just as he was finished with, I swear, a three minute shower.
I sat on the bed and watched him dress in jeans and a long sleeve button up shirt… I asked, “How long will you be?”
As he put his watch on and grabbed his wallet off the dresser, he told me, “I’m not sure. We have to drive out toward Robinson, so no telling. I’m not going to make this an all–night thing though.” Josh went back in the closet, I assumed to get his service pistol. As he came back out, he said to me, “Come on walk me out.”
I stood and took his hand he had stretched out to me; I guess I couldn’t hide in the bedroom all night.
The moment Misty’s eyes fell on me, she gave me a huge smile and walked toward me.
She put her arms around me and squeezed me tight. “Hey, girl!”
When she pulled back, I smiled. “Hey.”
Misty was a very beautiful woman with her smooth chocolate skin. I couldn’t see how her and Josh had never been anything but partners. If I was a guy I’d probably want her…
“Hey, sorry for the late visit.”
I waved her off. “Oh it’s not a problem at all.”
Misty smiled bigger, then looked to my right. “See, I told you she was sweet. I don’t
know what you’re talking about.”
I heard a grunt, and my smile dropped as quick and as genuine as its appearance. I turned to see Jacks sitting on my favorite couch. I almost forgot Josh said he was here.
“Next time maybe you’ll call first.”
Josh moved to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“It’s really not a problem, we weren’t busy,” I added, and Misty laughed.
“Is that so… Well, from where we were, it sounded like you two were very busy.”
I frowned not understanding what she meant then it hit me, and my eyes grew like five sizes, and I knew I was turning red. Josh leaned in the kitchen doorway smirking at me.
I said, horrified, “They heard us?”
He shook his head and walked toward me. “Ah no not me.” He kissed my stunned lips…
When he pulled back, smiling at me, I hit his chest, “Oh my God Josh, that’s not funny. You mean to tell me I was that loud?”
Misty waved me off. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Hell, if the cops didn’t come knocking, I guess you’re okay.”
Josh frowned. “What are you trying to say, Misty?” Then he looked at me. “When I get home, we’re definitely making sure the cops are called and all night too.”
I shook my head thinking about how embarrassing that would be.
“The hell we are!”
Misty laughed. “Josh, I love her… You better not screw this up or I’ll castrate you!”
Amused, Josh pulled me in his arms. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
He kissed me hard right in front of Misty and Jacks…. And what’s wonderful is I kissed him right back….
“I love you, Sweets,” he told me not ashamed or afraid.
“Josh…” was all I could say.
We stood like that for a minute before Misty broke up our trance.
“All right, Sweets, we’ll get lover boy home to you as soon as we can.”
“Okay.” I blushed at the way she said Josh’s nickname for me.
Josh, however, didn’t like it very much. Misty gave me a hug and walked out of the door Josh held open.
“What?” she said, then laughed.
Jacks walked past me. “Kenya…”
I frowned. “Jackass!”
Jacks stopped and turned. “Jacks will do just fine.”